Painted from Gardenia Road. The extensive farm complex on the right. (Western side of Gardenia Road). was demolished in 1972 for housing development. Buildings shown are cowshed, hay barn, engine shed and stables. Painted in the late afternoon, the lengthening shadows and lowering sky, could presage the ominous fate awaiting the farm with development. The Ziebell Farm was known as “The Pines” and sadly none of the many that proliferated there remain. Today they would be equivalent to those at the cemetery, having been planted at the same time. Provenance: John Borrack CollectionThese two paintings by acclaimed Victorian artist John Borrack, a direct descendant of the Ziebell family through his mother Augusta, hold substantial artistic, historical, and familial significance for Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and the broader Westgarthtown narrative. Borrack, recognised as one of Australia’s leading landscape painters, is known for his sensitive, precise and atmospheric depictions of place. His professional standing and artistic skill considerably elevate the cultural value of these works. The paintings depict Ziebell’s Farmhouse and the associated outbuildings on the opposite side of Gardenia Road, capturing the rural character of the property prior to subdivision and suburban encroachment. They function as accurate visual records of the farm’s earlier setting and the self-sufficient lifestyle. Their documentary value is amplified by Borrack’s own reflections: he explained that he made the original sketches in the 1950s and later, in the 1970s, “decided to make a positive record of what the farm looked like”, developing these paintings from those earlier drawings. One work shows the farmhouse and milking shed as seen from the cemetery: the other captures the view from the front garden toward the former vegetable garden. Their provenance deepens their significance. As works created by a Ziebell descendant who consciously sought to record his family heritage, the paintings embody intergenerational memory, personal connection, and the enduring legacy of the Ziebell family within Victoria’s cultural landscape. They enrich the museum’s interpretive capacity, offering rare artistic insight into the historic farmstead and contributing meaningfully to the preservation and understanding of Westgarthtown’s heritage. Watercolour depicting Ziebell Farmhouse from the north, Thomastown and Mernda. In gold frame with cream border.Artist signature: John Borrack; 70's Ziebells German Lane South Viewillustrations, watercolours, john borrack, ziebell, watercolour, painting

Letter from H.T. Bishop, Shire Secretary, Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham to Mr Geo. Morton requesting valuation of land for sale for the Parks and Gardens Committee, dated 24 / 12 / 1929. Valuations provided by Geo. Martin dated 6/ 1 / 1930.Letter from H.T. Bishop, Shire Secretary, Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham to Mr Geo. Morton requesting valuation of land land values, shire of blackburn and mitcham, bishop, herbert thomas., morton, george, main street, blackburn, gardenia street, husband road, forest hill, surrey road, holland road, blackburn south, canterbury road, whitehorse road, nunawading, glendale street, williams road, south parade, tunstall

Map of Blackburn outlining a walk through the lake. The route includes four Elmore houses.Map of Blackburn outlining a walk through the lake.maps, blackburn lake sanctuary, the avenue, blackburn, laburnum street, main street, gardenia street, blackburn road, gordon crescent

Painted from the home (or front) paddock which ran south to the creek. The paddock was used for the cultivation of lucerne and maize crops in the lower regions while closer to the house where Ainwick Crescent is now situated, it was a burgeoning market garden for the cultivation of all varieties of vegetables. The large pines beyond, sheltered the farmyard on the west of Gardenia Road. That complex can be partly glimpsed on the left of the painting. This is a directly painted watercolour relying on the use of white paper and transparencies to impart a feeling of morning light. The figure is the artist's mother for whom the picture was painted. Provenance: Augusta Borrack (nee Ziebell) Collection, John Borrack CollectionThese two paintings by acclaimed Victorian artist John Borrack, a direct descendant of the Ziebell family through his mother Augusta, hold substantial artistic, historical, and familial significance for Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and the broader Westgarthtown narrative. Borrack, recognised as one of Australia’s leading landscape painters, is known for his sensitive, precise and atmospheric depictions of place. His professional standing and artistic skill considerably elevate the cultural value of these works. The paintings depict Ziebell’s Farmhouse and the associated outbuildings on the opposite side of Gardenia Road, capturing the rural character of the property prior to subdivision and suburban encroachment. They function as accurate visual records of the farm’s earlier setting and the self-sufficient lifestyle. Their documentary value is amplified by Borrack’s own reflections: he explained that he made the original sketches in the 1950s and later, in the 1970s, “decided to make a positive record of what the farm looked like”, developing these paintings from those earlier drawings. One work shows the farmhouse and milking shed as seen from the cemetery: the other captures the view from the front garden toward the former vegetable garden. Their provenance deepens their significance. As works created by a Ziebell descendant who consciously sought to record his family heritage, the paintings embody intergenerational memory, personal connection, and the enduring legacy of the Ziebell family within Victoria’s cultural landscape. They enrich the museum’s interpretive capacity, offering rare artistic insight into the historic farmstead and contributing meaningfully to the preservation and understanding of Westgarthtown’s heritage. Watercolour painting, depicting Ziebell's Farmhouse from the south (Thomastown and Mernda). Painting is mounted in a gold frame with cream board.Artist signature: John Borrack; Last Days at Ziebells "The Pines" Thomastown, 'Pro mea matre hanc picturan feci (In Memoria)'illustrations, watercolours, john borrack, ziebell, watercolour, painting

This uniform belonged to Marion Elaine Caffrey, nee Bullock (1920-1993). Marion was born and lived in Begonia Road, Gardenvale and attended Star of the Sea College with her younger twin sisters, Hilary and Margaret Bullock. Their family had been living in the district since 1892 when their grandfather, James Stewart, settled first at Brighton Beach before building a new home in Gardenia Road, Gardenvale in 1910. On leaving school, Marion took a job with the T&G Insurance Company in Collins Street. However, as the threat of invasion by Japan loomed closer following the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the fall of Singapore, in 1943 she volunteered to join Australia's war effort as part of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). She initially trained as a coder at HMAS Cerberus, followed by a posting to HMAS Magnetic in Townsville. By the time Marion arrived in Townsville in 1944 it was very much a garrison town, inhabited largely by Australian and American servicemen. Whereas in Melbourne the war in the Pacific may have felt somewhat distant, in Townsville it was very immediate. Though the town was never subjected to the heavy bombardments of Darwin, a series of small air strikes in July 1942 had made the fear of air raids quite real. The naval base HMAS Magnetic was responsible for communications, Port Examination Services and servicing of Allied warships. Marion worked as a coder, encoding outgoing transmissions and decoding incoming ones either manually or using a Typex cipher machine. In 1945, she completed additional training to attain the rank of Leading Coder. Her keenness for the work is evident in a note on her service record: although no WRANS women were ever sent to active warzones, Marion volunteered for overseas service. Marion later recalled her time with the WRANS as one of the happiest and most personally fulfilling times of her life. Like many Australian women, she embraced the opportunity to serve her country and take on roles traditionally reserved for men. She completed her three years' service at HMAS Harman in Canberra where she was de-mobbed in 1946. Afterwards, she secured a job with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, where she worked until her marriage to Hugh Caffrey in 1947.Second World War WRANS uniform consisting of a dark navy blue serge blazer (.1), skirt (.2) and hat (.3). The blazer features six buttons. The left arm features a black patch embroidered with a red anchor wrapped in a length of rope (a fouled anchor) with a single red chevron beneath, denoting the rank of Leading Wran (equivalent to Leading Seaman). The right arm features a black patch embroidered with red crossed flags over the letter 'C'. The pencil skirt is lined and fastens at the side with a button and snap fastenings. The navy felt hat features a round brim and a black ribbon band machine embroidered in gold with the words "H.M.A.S. HARMAN".Maker's label in collar of blazer reads "N491 / 1942 / SIZE [indistinct] / MADE IN AUSTRALIA" The label features a pen inscription, "BULLOCK". Size label in back of skirt: "2". Label inside the hat: "N18 / 1944 Size 20½ / MADE IN AUSTRALIA"1940s, marion elaine bullock, marion elaine caffrey, second world war, military uniform, wrans, women's royal australian naval service

photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburn.gardenia street blackburn, south parade blackburn, shops

strip photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburnblackburn, shops

Strip photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburnblackburn, shops

Strip photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburn.blackburn, shops

B/W strip photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburn.blackburn, shops

photo of South Parade and Gardenia Street Blackburnblackburn, shops

Auction brochure selling renovated weatherboard period house in Gardenia Street, Blackburn.Selling renovated weatherboard period house in Gardenia Street, Blackburn.auctions, gardenia street, blackburn, no 32.

A plan by developer Blackburn Central Pty Ltd proposing a scaled down retail development for Gardenia Street site.A plan by developer Blackburn Central Pty Ltd proposing a scaled down retail development for Gardenia Street site.blackburn station shopping centre, blackburn central pty ltd

Owned by Augusta Borrack (Nee Ziebell), circa; 1910-1915. Made with German parts, with a frame likely assembled in Melbourne by Wertheim. Iron-framed Thurmer upright piano with dark wooden panels. Two marks where candlesticks or other objects may have been attached can be seen on the front panel. Decorative carving on sides. 2 pedals.Thurmer; Sole Agents Allan & co. Pty Ltd Melbourne, on front. Paper sticker inside top lid - 'Ferd. Thurmer'.musical instruments, keyboard, thurmer, piano, augusta borrack (ziebell), leo borrack, allan & co.

Piano stool with green velour upholstered seat. Seat top also acts as the hinged lid to the storage space inside. Wooden frame with four legs in the cabriole style.No visible markingsmusical instruments, accessories, piano, stool, green velour, musical instrument, accessories.

Salt-glazed terracotta jar with flanged rim. Two-toned brown glaze, with darker tone covering the upper third of the jar to the shoudler.3P imprinted on shoulder of jar.domestic items, food storage & preservations, container, jar, two-toned, storage, terracotta.

Song book with musical score for keyboard including 1200 musical pieces.Sylvia Schultz 581 written on inside front cover. Sticker reading Keswick Book Depot 315 Collins Street Melbourne. On fly leaf stamp reads Post Office Christian Assn. Melb. Branch. In pencil NH12/6 written.books, music, musical books, hymns, ira d. sankey, marshall, morgan, scott ltd, lutheran, song book

Song book with musical score for keyboard.Sylvia Schultz written on cover.books, music, musical books, granddad's songs, song book.

Red wooden turned handle with steel hooked shape blade. Blade is hook shaped with serrations on hooked area.No visible markingsdomestic items, food preparation, butter balls, curling tool, butter, kitchen, food, dairy.

Elongated oval-shaped wooden brush with arched handle and brown bristles made of natural fibres. Body painted blue.No visible markingsdomestic items, cleaning, brush, bristle

Dark copper, possibly lacquered, jug with lid and handle but no spout. Body has horizontal bead around centre and two vertical beads. Globular shaped body with cylindrical neck. Lid is domed and internally fitted with a small arched handle on top. Rounded pouring handle which has been reinforced, on side of the jug connected to the body and neck."Q" imprinted on handled.containers, domestic, container, jug, kitchen, oil?

Wooden handled brush, hand crafted from sundry miscellaneous wooden parts.No visible markingsdomestic items, cleaning, brush, bristle, craft